Since 4am, many women in the Thieu Nguyen Women-Owned Agricultural Cooperative in Thieu Nguyen Commune (Thieu Hoa) have called each other to go to the fields to harvest peanuts to avoid the sun. This year's spring-summer peanut crop is a bumper crop, with firm and sweet seeds, so the price is good.
Leaders of the Women's Union of Thieu Hoa province and district visited the peanut field of Thieu Nguyen women-owned agricultural production cooperative.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang, a member of the cooperative, shared: "With the support of women in higher positions in providing seeds and fertilizers, and the local government creating favorable conditions for land, each of us contributes our efforts to share techniques and develop together. In addition to the shared area of 2 hectares, each member also grows several acres of peanuts and beans depending on the season, so we can help each other in production and consumption, save costs, and achieve higher economic efficiency.
Thieu Nguyen commune has many favorable conditions for growing vegetables, especially the alluvial land along the Chu River, which is always silted up with alluvium, and the irrigation system is favorable for growing agricultural crops such as peanuts, beans, corn, etc. With the attention and support of the Provincial Women's Union, in September 2023, the Thieu Nguyen Commune Women's Union established an agricultural production cooperative owned by women, attracting 20 members to participate. Formed from a cooperative group, when developing into a cooperative, all activities of the cooperative are organized more systematically and operate according to the Law on Cooperatives. Therefore, the Commune Women's Union has promoted propaganda and dissemination of the law, integrated into preliminary and final meetings on the implementation of policies to support the establishment of new cooperatives, training and fostering cooperative staff, providing documents for members to study and research; Cooperative members are trained in science and technology transfer, and instructed on how to plant and care for agricultural crops, especially peanut growing techniques. The Cooperative Executive Board also participates in training courses organized by the Provincial and District Women's Unions, and online classes organized by the Central Vietnam Women's Union.
With the attention and close guidance of the superior association, the cooperative has developed a specific production and business plan, built appropriate internal rules and regulations, and has been facilitated by the People's Committee of Thieu Nguyen commune to allocate 2 hectares of land for concentrated production. From production to harvesting, all stages are discussed and agreed upon by the members. After harvesting, based on the specific profit, 70% of the profit will be divided among the members. The remaining amount will be used for production costs for the next crops and general expenses according to the regulations.
In the first crop, the cooperative proactively planted biomass corn and made a profit of 20 million VND. Together with the initial charter capital contributed by members of 20 million VND, the cooperative now has 40 million VND. This amount is used to expand production and cover expenses for the following crops. In the second crop, the cooperative was supported by the Provincial Women's Union with peanut seeds, fertilizers and transferred the technical process of growing 5 hectares of spring-summer peanuts. Of which, 2 hectares were facilitated by the commune and 3 hectares were contributed by member households. After 4 months, the peanut growing area was harvested, with a yield of about 60 quintals of fresh tubers/ha, 10 quintals/ha higher than mass production. The expected revenue is 100 million VND, after deducting expenses, the profit is about 70 million VND. In addition to growing peanuts, the cooperative will grow other seasonal crops during the year with the spirit of "not letting the land rest", exploiting the maximum potential and advantages of the locality to increase income for members.
Director of Thieu Nguyen Nguyen Thi Lan, a women-owned agricultural production cooperative, said: "Although there are still some difficulties due to the lack of a place to preserve and process products after harvest, and the lack of access to many government policies, the cooperative's management board and members always strive to overcome difficulties, maintain stable production, contribute to increasing income and improving the quality of life for members. The greatest benefit is that the members of the cooperative join together in sustainable production, strengthen solidarity, support each other, and motivate women to actively work in production, enriching their families and hometowns."
Article and photos: Le Ha
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